Jordan Henderson's honest 'hurt' admission about Liverpool exit was supported by teammate

Jordan Henderson’s honest admission about his Liverpool exit was supported by a teammate.

After 12 years at the club, Henderson decided to leave Anfield in the summer of 2023.

The Englishman left Liverpool for Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq, reuniting with former teammate Steven Gerrard, who is the manager of the Saudi Professional League outfit.

However, less than six months into his Saudi Arabian journey, Henderson made a return to Europe and signed for Dutch side Ajax in January.

Speaking about his Liverpool exit, Henderson previously said: “It was the best thing for the club and the team, and you can see that in the performances and how they’ve done, as much as that hurts me.

“It’s football and you move on. I’m so happy it’s worked out for them so far and I’ve just got my fingers crossed it can be a fairytale end for Jurgen because he deserves it.”

He added: “Looking back, I think it was the right time for me as a player [to leave] but also for them as a team and for them as a club, as much as that hurt at the time.

“I was very emotional. Looking back in that period of time, looking back now, it is easy to see that it was the right decision made by the manager and the club. It was the best decision to freshen things up. If you look at Virgil [van Dijk] becoming captain, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] becoming vice-captain, and how they’ve stepped up again this season, I think it has given them another lift.”

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Speaking recently, now Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said he was sorry to see Henderson go but also said the shake-up was inevitable.

He said, via The Mirror: “Jordan is a good friend of mine and we’ve been through everything together.

“He’s been one of the best captains Liverpool have had, with everything we achieved. He was amazing for the club and that won’t change. But in football things happen like this.”

The Dutchman continued: “Players eventually move on and other players have to step up. The moment he left then things were going to shift, especially with our vice-captain James Milner leaving before him too. There were always going to be some changes in the squad, and new roles for different players, including me, but things like this happen and others have to step up and I think we all have done that.”